Friday, April 25, 2003

Ultima Online Mobile Is this the world's first MMMORG (Massively Multiplayer Mobile Online Role Playing Game)? Can we call it 3MORG instead? (Photos borrowed from Dwango's Press Release without permission: 505i screen shots, pre-release shots - disclaimer saying might be different from actual release.) A company called Dwango has a press release in Japanese about Ultima Online for iMode. If I'm translating this correctly, part of the title says something to the effect of "Be the first to play this game by using the new 505i series phones". The release continues stating that Electronic Arts and Dwango have agreed on working together in distributing the mobile version of this game. Dwango has acquired the license for the distribution of the mobile (for cell phones) version. Dwango will start the distribution of the 'Ultima Online Mobile' service to DoCoMo iMode 504i, 504iS, and the new 505i series of keitais. They are planning to launch this service after the 505i phones are released (which should be mid-May - see my last post). The PR goes on about when UO was established and mentions that as of March, 2003 there are over 100,000 users in Japan. There's more , but I'll let you translate the rest. Some features of the mobile version of the game: save your pet or monster into the cellphone wallpaper appli. The pet/monster will be affected by various factors such as the amount of battery life, and signal strength. (only available through the 505i phones) Like depending on the battery life, the pet will have different equipment or if the phone is out of range the pet won't be able to heal/maintenance. mentioned that chatting won't be available, but exchanging of goods will be part of the game   2:19:08 AM    comment []

DoCoMo 505i Series and Macromedia Flash Lite Check out these features for the new 505i series of phones coming out mid-May: Macromedia Flash Lite (Flash: the Future article | Wireless Developers Network | Macromedia Flash Lite Content Development Kit) i-appli DX 1 to 1.3 MegaPixel digital camera/video Memory Stick Duo and miniSD memory cards InfraRed (since 504i series) possibly used for remote control for TVs, VCRs, and karaoke machines Fingerprint authentication For details goto DoCoMo's official site, mouseover Current Information, click on What's New, click on Apr 17, 2003 Introduction to 505i series terminals now online, and then click on 'Click here for the introduction' link. Another article on 505i's launch on Wireless Watch Japan. Sony Ericsson's SO505i model looks wicked (photo borrowed from ZDNet Japan, more photos there). More photos at Mobile Burn. I gotta switch carriers. I'm currently on JPhone, but these 505i phones makes me wanna switch. I've been manipulated by mobile feature envy. I'm not the only one .. checkout the voting results for the new keitais. Macromedia is pushing Flash as THE NEXT UI: PC Browsers, Mobiles, and Game Consoles (PS2). They're at an advantage, because most content providers already use Flash. Java is the closest competition, but programmers are expensive. Where's Microsoft? In the automobiles ... 1:07:48 AM    comment []